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iPad Pro Would you keep or sell M1/M2 iPad Pro for M4?

Sell or keep M1 12.9 iPad Pro for 11“ M4 iPad Pro

  • Sell M1 12.9 iPad Pro & buy new keyboard and pencil for 11“ M4 iPad Pro

    Votes: 26 74.3%

  • Keep M1 12.9 iPad Pro & use 11“ M4 iPad Pro as a big iPhone (no keyboard and pencil)

    Votes: 9 25.7%
  • Total voters
    35
Z

Zest28

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Jul 11, 2022
2,624
3,993
I‘m thinking about buying a 11“ M4 iPad Pro (base version) without the keyboard and pencil mainly as an e-reader. I know people say Kindle is better than an iPad, but I bought too many books on Apple Books to switch to Kindle.

I tested the 11“ M4 iPad Pro and I really like what Apple did in terms of thinness and lighter weight. And I think it is an better e-reader than my M1 12.9 iPad Pro.

What is the best course of action?:
- Sell the M1 12.9 iPad Pro and then buy the new pencil and keyboard for the 11“ M4 iPad Pro
- Keep the M1 12.9 iPad Pro (which has the keyboard and pencil) and just get the 11“ M4 iPad without the keyboard and pencil (and use the 11“ M4 iPad Pro as a big iPhone).

One of my main reason why I might consider keeping the M1 12.9 iPad Pro is that the resale value is quite poor. For that little money, I might as well keep it.
 
Last edited:
If you’re only using it as an e-reader/secondary iPad, couldn’t you just get an iPad Air or older iPad Pro on clearance and save a bit of $$$? Seems odd to have the newer, higher spec device for simpler tasks? The thickness/weight reduction was not as large between the 11” models as it was on the 13”.
 
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MF878 said:
If you’re only using it as an e-reader/secondary iPad, couldn’t you just get an iPad Air or older iPad Pro on clearance and save a bit of $$$? Seems odd to have the newer, higher spec device for simpler tasks?
Click to expand...

Yes, but I personally prefer the 120hz display, it is just smoother to me (i know some people don‘t notice it, but I do). And the 11“ iPad Pro is also lighter than the iPad air currently.

At the moment, the price difference between the M2 11“ iPad Pro and M4 11“ iPad Pro isn‘t significant enough. And I might perhaps also do “content consumption“ in the park or at the beach too where the brighter OLED display could be useful.

I know it‘s overkill, but the 11“ M4 iPad Pro fits into my budget that I have allocated for “gadgets“ in 2024, so $$$$ is not an issue. I‘m not planning to buy a new iPhone or Mac anyway this year.

But maybe I will just buy more stocks instead as it‘s more a “fun“ purchase instead of a real need.
 
My situation is different. I have 3 pros, 12.9 M1 5G, 12.9 2018 wifi and 11 2018 cellular.
While I have no intention of selling my 11" (it's the 1TB model with more RAM), originally I wanted to sell my M1, but then 2 things made me change my mind. The M1 has better speakers and a physical SIM. Also I can keep the MK and pencil.
I would sell the 12.9 2018 (512GB), which I kept as an e-reader because it was lighter than the M1. But it's only 4GB RAM and the M4 is even lighter, so I am trying to sell it and get the M4 only with the new folio, no keyboard, and pencil.
 
I'd sell it, getting a little bit of extra money for a keyboard + pencil is worth it, and I don't really see a point in having TWO iPads around unless you have a specific reason to want two.
 
Getting an M4 iPad Pro for eReading is like getting the latest Gaming laptop with a top video card to browse the web and write out a few emails.
 
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AeroSatan said:
Getting an M4 iPad Pro for eReading is like getting the latest Gaming laptop with a top video card to browse the web and write out a few emails.
Click to expand...
M4 is preciselly what allows the weight reduction. Much more efficient (reduction in battery size despite the increase in brightness) and supports tandem oled (removing the need to the additional hardware layers needed for miniled, which had made the iPad thicker and heavier).
M4 is more than sheer CPU/GPU power. But that power is a nice bonus giving it enough headroom to stay blazing fast until the end of its update cycle.
 
I'd say read the books you have left to read on Apple Books on your current device then get an proper e-reader device.
Not sure if you have Storytel in your country but theres an option to Kindle.
 
When I worked at Apple retail I always cautioned customers against upgrading throughout iterative releases, especially if the only change was an M1 to M2/3, and they didn't need the extra processing power, for example.

However, I strongly believe this newer Pro M4 models are not an iterative release. From a chassis redesign, to the new M4 chip, to the lighter form factor, to the incredible new OLED screen, it really has something new for every owner.

It's fantastic release, probably the best iPad Pro release ever, as the 2018 model lacked M1, and the M1-M2 models didn't do much to form factors.

There's always going to be a lot of haters on this sub saying you're wasting money buying power you don't need (and sometimes, they're right. I'm not changing my M1 iMac until Apple releases a redesign or 27 inch model). But you'd be upgrading to a lot more than power. The new iPad Pros are differently better in every way.
 
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Having the 2022 M2 12.9" iPad Pro (6th generation) myself did not justify an upgrade to an 11" or 13" 2024 M4 iPad Pro. When I did the comparison on both models, Apple only made very small significant changes such as the resolution and took away a microphone, offered OLED on the 1TB and 2TB models only, exempt the 10MP ultra wide camera, changed from 12MP ultra wide front camera to landscape 12MP ultra wide front camera (REALLY??), and just a few others as well. I did not bother to worry about the keyboard and pencil option because I'm more concern about the actual iPad Pro itself. Frankly, it's left to each individual to choose what they wish to do in the long run.

iPhone 15 Pro Max Blue Titanium 512GB
2023 M2 Max Mac Studio 1TB 32GB
2022 12.9 M2 iPad Pro 256GB
Apple Watch Ultra 32GB
 
Honestly, for the use you give it, I see the money thrown away that I'm sure you can invest in something else. If you have plenty of money, then go ahead, but it is obvious that it is not a necessity for the use you indicate.
 
nikikaly21 said:
When I worked at Apple retail I always cautioned customers against upgrading throughout iterative releases, especially if the only change was an M1 to M2/3, and they didn't need the extra processing power, for example.

However, I strongly believe this newer Pro M4 models are not an iterative release. From a chassis redesign, to the new M4 chip, to the lighter form factor, to the incredible new OLED screen, it really has something new for every owner.

It's fantastic release, probably the best iPad Pro release ever, as the 2018 model lacked M1, and the M1-M2 models didn't do much to form factors.

There's always going to be a lot of haters on this sub saying you're wasting money buying power you don't need (and sometimes, they're right. I'm not changing my M1 iMac until Apple releases a redesign or 27 inch model). But you'd be upgrading to a lot more than power. The new iPad Pros are differently better in every way.
Click to expand...
I don’t see a „chassis redesign“ with the M4 iPP. It is only thinner….
 
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M2MaxMan said:
Apple only made very small significant changes such as the resolution and took away a microphone, offered OLED on the 1TB and 2TB models only, exempt the 10MP ultra wide camera, changed from 12MP ultra wide front camera to landscape 12MP ultra wide front camera
Click to expand...
All iPad Pros including base models:
  • get OLED* (66% brighter SDR; improved contrast, viewing angles, and image accuracy)
  • are thinner
  • are lighter
  • pair with improved accessories
  • and despite Apple reporting equal battery life, some users in some use cases (eg. drawing) are reporting significantly longer battery life. So it could be that when the CPU is mostly idle (eg. drawing, reading), battery life is even more impressive.
Thats not to say an M1 or M2 user should upgrade to an M4 model—but if they have the disposable income or it's a means to income—there is reason to upgrade—as improvements are felt.

* You may be thinking of nano-texture, as only the 1TB and 2TB models have the additional $100 nano-texture upgrade option.
 
Upgrading to M4 is worth it because it will open your reading apps up to 1000 times faster. All that power of the M4 will be pushed by your reading apps.
 
If you are not using your larger iPad for stuff like reading, multitasking, editing, or other tasks that take advantage of the larger screen, just sell it or trade it in for the 11 inch. I have two iPads - the larger Pro, and usually an Air or base iPad in the 11 inch size. I think that setup makes a bit more sense than what you are describing.

If you go your route, You could use your iPad as a Laptop or Desktop IOS companion, docked or put on a stand to use as an extra screen. But it seems like you don’t use your iPads that way.
 
I trades my M2 12.9 in for the 13” M4 with 1 tb. I already have a spare 11“ iPad Pro and the mini.
 
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